Occupational Work Related Stress

by

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW1

Stress1

Theory of Psychobiology (Fight or Flight theory)1

The General Adaptation System3

Psychological Model4

Demands and Control Perspective on Stress5

Person-Environment Fit Perspective on Stress7

Transactional Model8

Types of Stress9

Esutress9

Distress9

Occupational Stress10

Stressors12

Conclusion13

REFERENCES14

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

Stress

Stress has been defined by a number of authors in a wide range of definitions. Stokes and Kite (2001) have suggested that the versatility of the term is its undoing as a useful concept of scientific term. Stress is usually viewed as a situation, variable, an agent or circumstance that can disturb the normal functioning of an individual. It has also been viewed by Tepas and Price (2001) as an effect or incident that is already disturbed itself. These variances among the definitions and meanings are arguably the reason for increasing confusion surrounding the concept of stress (p. 109).

According to Lazarus and Folkman (1984), Stress has been defined as a specific relationship between the environment and the individual that is usually appraised by the persona as exceeding the resources available and endangering the individual's well-being. Following are the different concepts/ models which explain stress:

Theory of Psychobiology (Fight or Flight theory)

This theory is among the early theories presented by Cannon (1929), stating that there is a connection between physiology and emotional stress. Cannon (1929) conducted an experimental research through which depicted that stimuli linked with emotional arousals lead to changes in physiological procedures. Later, a relation between illness and life events has been demonstrated.

Cannon during 1920s recognised that the autonomic nervous system in individuals is stimulated and activated in response to stress. The theory suggested that stress causes the body of an individual to react in response to readiness by either attacking (Fight) or by fleeing (flight) a threatening situation or an enemy. Even though, these responsive attitudes have been a cause of survival for human beings in early ages, they cannot turn out to be harmful if the exposure to stress is for longer period at present situation. Enterprises and activities, such as going to school, keeping a job, or playing in a soccer of football team requires more complex responses (Chilton, 2005, p. 200).

The fight or flight based responses help in preparing the body to either fight or resist or the runaway from the problem. The fight or flight concept itself produces a number of physiological responses among individuals. Nevertheless, when the event of stress is of high level or for longer term then it affects negatively on the body of an individual. These stresses can also negatively influence the day-to-day tasks and many times cause burnout which damages the body.

For instance, when managers are stressing upon implementing change too quickly, they may soon observe that their employees' performance will drop or they might end up losing their employees.

From the human beings perspective, the analysis of stress through this theory is incomplete. Human beings are significantly affected by the tendency to affiliate. This means that people tend to come together/ unite in time of threat. Many times, when people often manage their ...